Hand-measure for fitting gloves



(No Mdel.)

3 D. L A N 0 D nU M E A..

HAND MEASURE FOR FITTING GLOVES.

Patented Deo. 2, 1884.

WITNESSES- INVENTOR:

www ibvvwaw l /b By his ttor-new', fw* -/Qfwam Q, uw

(No Model.) i 4 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

A. E. MGDONALD. a `HAND MEASURE FOR FITTING GLOVES. Y `No. 308,684. Patented Deo. 2, 1884..`

WITN ESSES:

` By his .dttorneys N. PETERS. Phnlo-Lxxhegmphcr. wasmngmn, D. C.

No Model.) y A 3 shee'ssheet. 3.

` A. E. MODONALD.

HAND MEASURE FR FITTING GLOVES.

No. 308,68LLv Patented Deo. 2, 1884.-

INVENTOR:

UNiTnn STATES PATENT @Trina .ALEXANDER ELMER MCDONALD, OF BROOKLYN, NEY YORK.

HAND-MEASURE FOR FITTING GLOVES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 308,684, dated December 2` 1884.

Application filed June 11, 18:24.

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER ELMER MoDoNiiLn, a citizen ofthe United States,

temporarily residingin Brooklyn,in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invent` ed an Improved Hand-Measure for Fitting Gloves, of which the following is a specification. i i i lVIy invention relates to a device for measuring the hand in order to ascertain the size of glove that will fit.

The invention consists of a graduated tape made from some suitable elastic material-as thin steel, by preference-*and provided with a handle or handles and akeeper, through which one end of the tape plays in the manipulation of the measure. This tape is mounted upon a base, the attachment being made at or near the middle of the tape, as will be hereinafter described.

The object in employing a somewhat stiff and elastic material for the tape and in confining one end in a keeper is to cause the tape to preserve, normally, an open hoop-like or loop-like form7 which enables the hand to be passed into such loop without the inconvenience that would attend the use of aflabby or very flexible tape. The tape is by preference secured to the ornamental base in such a manner as to slightly flatten the loop,where by, in drawing the tape down over the hand, it is made to conform to the shape of the hand the better. This flattening I effect, by preference,in the manner hereinafter describedthat is to say, by clamping the tape down to the base with a broad or winged clip, which flattens down the side of the tape at the clamping-point and gives to the loop a somewhat elliptical form. It may be well to say here that the measure of the hand which controls the size of the glove worn is taken around the flattened hand at the knuckles, excluding the thumb. My device is designed for conveniently taking this measure, being intended for use, in the main, in stores where gloves are sold, and where an ordinary detached tape is usually employed for this purpose.

In the drawings,which serve to illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of one of my tapes as it appears when detached my li and-measuring device complete, the tape (No model.)

being mounted on an ornamental base or stand. Fig. 3 is a plan of the same. Fig. 4 is a vertical inid-section, which shows the mode of constructing the base and attaching the tape thereto. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View showing the preferred form of attaching-clip in plan. Fig. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a modification. Fig. 7 is a similar view illustrating a modification, and Fig. 8 is a plan of the saine.

A is a tape, graduated as shown, and made preferably of thin elastic steel. It might, however, b made from some substance of a similar character, as hard rubber, celliiloid, Sie.

It is important that the material from which the tape is made should be sufficiently stiif to maintain the openloop-like or hoopike form of the tape, as shown. The tape is provided with a handle, B, at one end, aiidahandle, B at the other` end, the latter being provided with a giiide-slot or keeper, a, through which the other or free end of the tape plays, and an indicator-margin, b, at the point Where the measure is taken from the graduations. rlhc tape is mounted on an ornamental base or stand, C', of any suitable form. Ihave shown it circular in plan; but it might as well be square or polygonal. The base or stand I usual-ly construct of a ring, c, which may be of wood, spun metal, or any suitable material, a block, d, preferably of wood, and a plush cover, e, secured by forcing the block into the ring o. The block d is by preference slightly recessed to receive the attaching-clip f and that portion of the tape it rests upon, which prevents the clip and tape from turning on the attachingscrew g. The clip has by preference lateral wings or projections h li., which rest upon the tape and serve to flatten the loop of the tape somewhat, and thus adapt it more nearly normally to the flat form of the hand. In setting the tape on its base I set the end bearing the keeper a to one side, or,

nearer the attaching-point than the other end, as represented, in order that when the tapeis drawn. down over the hand the indicatingpointb may be on the top or back of the hand, 'where the gradiiations may be easily read.

IOO

In using my measure the hand is placed in from the base. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of i the loop of the tape palm down, and the operator grasps the handles B B, one with each it to again assume its open hoop-like form,

and as the tape, to do this, must be somewhat stiff, Ifind it best to somewhat flatten the loop by the clip attachment, in order that the tape may be drawn down more snugly over the hand. If the tape does not fit the hand, the measure will be inaccurate. The base C may be secured to a counter or to a case containing gloves, if desired; but in order to effect the measure properly and conveniently the base should be somewhat elevated, as shown,

and free from obstructions to the insertion of f the hand in the loop. The base for the hand to rest on and the fixing of the tape thereto are essential, and I prefer to cover the base, as shown, with plush or other soft material, to enhance its appearance and to afford a soft support for the hand.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a modification in which a reenforcing spring, t', is placed behind that end of the tape bearing the keeper a, and the handle B is removed. The spring i might be replaced by a non-elastic piece. The object of this is to so stiffen the tape at this point as to resist fleXure outward when the measure is taken, and thus avoid the necessity of holding to this end of the tape. If no re-enforce is employed and the handle B Ais not held, this end of the tape is apt to ileX or bend outward when an attempt is made to draw the free end through the keeper.

In Figs. 6 and 7 Ihave shown another mode of mounting the tape, wherein one end, B, is secured to the clip j', and the keeper is formed in said clip. The free end of the tape passes through said keeper and plays therein, as shown. The graduations are read from the point b. This construction also enables the measure to be taken with one hand, as there 1s no handle B.

My measure is designed only as a handmeasure for fitting gloves, andI make no claim to a measure for any other purpose.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. As an improved article of manufacture, a hand-measure for fitting gloves, comprising a graduated tape made from suitable elastic material and provided with a keeper and a suitable handle or handles, as shown, and a base to form a support for the hand while it is being measured, said tape being secured to said base, substantially as shown and described.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a hand-measure for fitting gloves, comprising a graduated tape of suitable elastic material, a base on which said tape is securely mounted, and means, substantially as described, for securing said tape to said base, and for flattening the loop of the tape through the medium of its attachment, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. As an improved article of manufacture, a hand-measure for iitting gloves, comprising a base to support the hand while it is being measured, a graduated loop-like tape of suitable elastic material provided with a handle or handles and a keeper, as set forth, and an attaching-clip and its screw, said clip being arranged to rest on and clamp the tape down upon the base and to flatten the loop of the tape, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. As an improved article of manufacture, the combination of the base C, the graduated tape A, the handles ofthe tape, one of which is provided with a keeper, a, and an indicatormargin, b, and the winged clip fand its screw, all arranged as shown, to form a handmeasure for tting gloves.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALEXANDE R ELM ER MGDOALD.

NVitnesses:

HENRY CONNETT, ARTHUR C. FRAsER. 

